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Private Detectives and Investigators Employment & Job Outlook in Virginia (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

Virginia employs 1,280 Private Detectives and Investigators professionals, above the national average concentration.

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 • Virginia employment outlook • Updated 2026-05-19

Total Employed
1,280
professionals
Jobs per 1,000
1.28
workers
Location Quotient
1.77
vs national avg
Average Salary
$61K
annual

High Demand in Virginia

The location quotient (LQ) of 1.77 indicates that Virginia has a higher-than-average concentration of Private Detectives and Investigators professionals. This means the job is in high demand relative to other states, suggesting strong local job market opportunities.

Note: Location Quotient (LQ) is the ratio of the percentage of workers in an occupation in a given area to the percentage in that occupation nationwide. An LQ > 1.0 means above-average concentration; < 1.0 means below-average.

Virginia vs National Average

Total Employed
1,280
National: 35,350
3.6% of national
Jobs per 1,000
1.28
National: 0.72
+77.8%
Average Salary
$61K
National: $58K
+6.6%

Top States by Private Detectives and Investigators Employment

#1
4,190
4,190
employed
#2
3,660
3,660
employed
#3
3,220
3,220
employed
#4
1,710
1,710
employed
#5
1,560
1,560
employed
#6
1,460
1,460
employed
#7
1,300
1,300
employed
#8
1,300
1,300
employed
#9
1,280
1,280
employed
#10
1,220
1,220
employed

What Does a Private Detectives and Investigators Earn in Virginia?

The average annual salary for a Private Detectives and Investigators in Virginia is $61,940. For a detailed breakdown by percentile, entry-level, median, and senior salaries, see the comprehensive salary guide below.

View full salary breakdown →

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Private Detectives and Investigators jobs are there in Virginia?

Virginia employs approximately 1,280 Private Detectives and Investigators professionals (2025 BLS data). This ranks Virginia among the top states nationwide.

Is Private Detectives and Investigators in demand in Virginia?

Yes — Virginia has above-average concentration of Private Detectives and Investigators jobs (LQ: 1.77). A Location Quotient above 1.0 indicates higher-than-average demand.

What is the average salary for Private Detectives and Investigators in Virginia?

The average (mean) salary for Private Detectives and Investigators in Virginia is $61940/year. See our detailed salary page for percentile breakdowns.

What is a Location Quotient (LQ)?

Location Quotient measures how concentrated an occupation is in a state compared to the national average. LQ > 1.0 means the state has more of that job proportionally. LQ > 1.2 indicates strong demand.

Which states employ the most Private Detectives and Investigators professionals?

The top state for Private Detectives and Investigators employment is California with 4,190 jobs.

Find Your Next Opportunity

Related Pages

Top Cities in Virginia

Explore cost of living, median household income, and demographics for Virginia's largest cities.

Top Colleges in Virginia

Compare tuition, admissions, and graduate outcomes at Virginia's leading institutions.

Private Detectives and Investigators Employment in Other States

Compare Private Detectives and Investigators labor-market data (jobs, location quotient, salary) across the top-employing states.

All Private Detectives and Investigators & Virginia Resources

Drill deeper into Private Detectives and Investigators pay, hiring, and education data for Virginia.

Data Source

Employment and location quotient data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025. This data reflects total employment, jobs per 1,000 workers, location quotient, and average salary for Private Detectives and Investigators (SOC 339021) in Virginia.

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